TAMS 2026 Sets a New Benchmark for School-Level Innovation and Leadership

PES University’s flagship event, The Amateur Manager & Scientist (TAMS) 2026, concluded on a historic note, bringing together thousands of young minds from across the country for a day of competition, creativity, and experiential learning.

On August 29, 2026, The Amateur Manager & Scientist (TAMS) 2026 successfully concluded at PES University, marking a significant milestone in the institution's commitment to nurturing future leaders and innovators. The fourth edition of the national-level fest witnessed record-breaking participation, reinforcing its position as one of India's most prominent school-level management and science platforms.

Record Participation from Across India

TAMS 2026 attracted more than 9,500 students from over 400 schools, representing 46 cities across 19 states. This remarkable turnout surpassed all previous editions and highlighted the growing popularity of the event among school students from Standards 8 to 12.

What began as two separate initiatives, The Amateur Scientist in 2013 and The Amateur Manager in 2023, has evolved into a unified national platform that encourages students to explore the intersection of scientific thinking and managerial excellence. TAMS continues to provide opportunities for young learners to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios while developing critical life skills.

A Platform for Future Changemakers

The event was inaugurated by Prof. Ajoy Kumar, COO of PES University; Dr Surya Prasad, Vice-Chancellor; and Dr Shailashree Haridas, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Commerce. During the inauguration, the university leadership emphasized the importance of fostering analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and leadership skills from an early stage in students' academic journeys.

Their message reflected the core purpose of TAMS: empowering students to become confident decision-makers who can navigate complex challenges in an increasingly dynamic world.

Engaging Events That Blend Science and Strategy

Participants competed across 21 diverse events, each designed to challenge creativity, teamwork, innovation, and strategic thinking. The competitions offered cash prizes of up to ₹15,000 per event, motivating students to showcase their talents and problem-solving capabilities.

The event lineup featured a wide variety of challenges, including

• Treasure Trek, which tested participants' cryptographic and analytical abilities.
• Money Heist, focused on strategic decision-making and business acumen.
• Whodunnit, where students applied investigative and forensic reasoning skills.
• Food Wars, a competition that combined culinary creativity with entrepreneurial thinking.
• Through these engaging activities, participants gained valuable hands-on experience while learning to collaborate effectively, think critically, and adapt under pressure.

Celebrating Excellence

After a highly competitive day of events, St. Joseph's PU College emerged as the overall Championship winner, demonstrating outstanding performance across multiple competitions. SFS Academy secured the Runner-Up position, earning recognition for its consistent excellence throughout the event.

The achievements of these institutions highlighted the spirit of healthy competition and academic excellence that defines TAMS year after year.

Shaping the Future Through Experiential Learning

As TAMS 2026 concluded, PES University reaffirmed its dedication to experiential education and youth development. By creating an environment where students can experiment, innovate, and lead, the university continues to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application.

With its record-breaking participation and dynamic range of events, TAMS 2026 has set a new benchmark for school-level educational festivals in India. More importantly, it has inspired thousands of young learners to embrace curiosity, leadership, and innovation, qualities that will shape the next generation of scientists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.